VEAZIE – Raymond Joseph Lynch Sr., 83, died Aug. 12, 2007, at his home. He was born Nov. 13, 1923, in Chicopee, Mass., son of John Raymond and Mary (Twarog) Lynch. Ray left high school to join the Navy and served four years in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1948, he married the love of his life, Vincie Cartabona. They relocated from Massachusetts to Bangor, where he was manager of the Prudential Insurance Co. Ray was a lover of children and, while in Bangor, he was commissioner of Babe Ruth Baseball, contributed generously to several youth programs and was a lifelong supporter of the University of Notre Dame. He was a communicant of St. John’s Catholic Church, Bangor; a member of the Pine Cone Council No. 114; a 4th degree member of Assembly 339; and a past grand knight. Ray was a life member of the Lodge of Elks and a past chairman of the Squaw Mountain Village Association of Greenville. He enjoyed Veazie and the people in the community, where he was a former member of the Veazie Town Council and past chairman. He was also a former member of the Professional Umpires Association of Massachusetts. In 1961, he left Bangor to start Northern Maine Moving and Storage and Northern Maine Equipment Cos., both of Presque Isle. Ray’s strong work ethic would lead him to moving families during the day and at night he would repair truck equipment. In the early 1970s, he sold his Aroostook County businesses and returned to Bangor where he founded Central Maine Moving and Storage with his wife, Vincie; and son, Ray. In 1986, they sold their business to their son, Ray, and Ray Sr. then became involved with his good friend, John MacKay in ownership of Mac-Lin Medical Supply Inc., Bangor. Ray’s love of business provided him the opportunity to work with several small business owners, assisting them with business decisions and financial issues. Surviving are his wife, Vincie (Cartabona) Lynch of Veazie; two sons, Raymond J. Lynch Jr. and his wife, Sandy, of Veazie, and Robert J. Lynch and his wife, Rene, of Michigan; five grandchildren, Ryan J. Lynch of California, Chery Williams and her husband, Michael and family of Veazie, Rachel, Robert and Scott, all of Michigan; one brother, James and family of Massachusetts; several nieces, nephews; and a special friend, Howard Whelden of Orono. Ray was predeceased by two sisters, Frances and Theresa; and one brother, Everett “Dutch.” Ray’s family shares a special thank you for the integrity and care of Dr. Openshaw and his staff at CancerCare of Maine. They would also like to acknowledge the unrelenting support of St. Joseph Hospice nurses and care providers. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at St. John’s Catholic Church, York Street, Bangor, with the Very Rev. Richard C. McLaughlin, pastor, celebrant. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. The family invites those attending the services to share conversation and refreshments at the home of Ray and Sandy Lynch, 12 Brookside Terrace, Veazie. Those who wish to remember Ray in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Hospice of St. Joseph, P.O. Box 1638, Bangor, ME 04402-1638. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
RAYMOND J. LYNCH SR.
